Jotted and unrefined observations of the Pentecost Rainbow Finchgryph.

At some point I might put all this into a readable and organized format. Until then, this is mostly for my own benefit so I don’t forget all this detail I dreamt up.

The Pentecost Rainbow Finchgryph is a species known as much for its cleverness, curiosity, and industry as for its bright and colorful plumage. Of all known finchgryph species, the rainbow variety is among the most intelligent and crafty. It is not at all uncommon to see a rainbow finchgryph concocting Rube Goldbergian contraptions to acquire food, building materials, or other objects of interest. They are able to recognize themselves in mirrors, express empathy, and count to around 15; they even know how to play pranks. Rainbow finchgryphs have a broad vocabulary consisting of nearly 1,200 identified words and they construct complex sentences. Current science contends that they even name each other. A rainbow finchgryph whistling the same song to different family members will premise the song with a certain sound depending upon who the song is directed at. This species has a dense neural network and a highly developed prefrontal cortex, the most likely explanation for its considerable intelligence relative to its small size (a little larger than a raven).

Basic Description:

A big male rainbow finchgryph might weigh 8oz and have an 18 inch wingspan. Sexual dimorphism is striking with the female being approximately half in size and almost uniformly dark brown with accents of gold. Rainbow finchgryphs have opposable thumbs on all four feet and never fail to make use of them for various sorts of mischief, the most common being pilfering assorted nicknacks from humans. If a button has disappeared from a blouse, a shoe has lost its laces, or a belt seems mysteriously buckle-less, it is quite possible to have been lost to a rainbow finchgryph. They use pilfered artifacts as a sort of pseudo-currency. Individuals have been observed exchanging objects for food and materials. The ostensible value of currency is primarily based on utility with string, cloth, cotton-balls, and paper being among the most “expensive” items. However, they are also quite fond of iridescent blue or green objects such as the glass baubles people line their fishtanks with.

Rainbow finchgryphs construct massive nest complexes in the understory boughs of old growth tropical rainforests. This provides them protection from terrestrial threats while affording decent cover from rain, winds, and aerial predators. Being a gregarious species, a rainbow finchgryph nest complex may harbor a colony of up to 300 individuals. There are approximately 5 females for every 1 male, each male having his own harem. Social grooming is a very important aspect of the rainbow finchgryph’s life. Individuals who do not participate in social grooming appear to have a lower survival rate and decreased immune response. The females are responsible for socializing and schooling the chicks while the males’ principal responsibilities are gathering food and protecting the colony. Both sexes more or less share equally in the task of maintaining the nest site. Females who age beyond fertility may go out and participate with males in protecting the colony and hunting.

Females will not mate unless the males perform their courtship rituals which consist of methodic flapping, twirling, hopping, fanning, and poofing. Each male has a unique dance and corresponding song that he will perform for his females who will then be receptive to his advances, assuming they are impressed with his display. Any females unimpressed may leave a male’s harem and join another, though they usually don’t unless the male is unhygienic or otherwise displeasing. Females lay 1 to 3 grey eggs which look remarkably like roundish stones. This is presumably a defense adaptation to avert predation of unhatched eggs. Chicks reach maturity at 8 years of age and may live to be 35 in the wild. In captivity they can live even longer.

Rainbow finchgryphs subsist mainly on soft seeds, berries, fruit, and insects though the males have been known to pick at fresh carrion when it is available. Being small and conspicuous, they are often predated by falcons, tree-climbing cats, and snakes. Their only defenses are superior intellect and numbers. Occasionally they can mob a predator into submission or tactically dispel an attack. They may also employ a stunningly shrill cry loud as a trumpet to scare predators away.

Rainbow finchgryph behavior becomes markedly different and varied when raised by humans. Depending on how they are raised, they may pair-bond with a specific human or with an entire family. Males bond easily where as females are more suspicious, requiring greater efforts to earn their trust. Despite their high intelligence, it can be very difficult to keep them from stealing fancied items. This can be remedied by keeping a robust supply of string, and beads (preferably blue, green, and any shades in between) laying about for them to pirate. Rainbow finchgryphs can be house-trained, understand a wide variety of words, and can make great pets but they do require constant attention. One should not endeavor to own a rainbow finchgryph unless they are prepared to have a constant companion taking up residence in a pocket or on one’s head. Rainbow finchgryphs love to sing and can only be made quiet with food, attention, or putting them to bed – sometimes, other times, one will simply have to cope with the fact that rainbow finchgryphs are very, very talkative. They like to be petted, scratched, and tickled but especially enjoy preening their humans’ hair.

Daily Deviation

Given 2009-12-18

Pentecost Rainbow Finchgryph by *Bobbie-the-Jean- the time and effort put into this painting is incredible, and you can tell it took real talent to make it. the details make you stare in wonder, wanting to know how the artist did this. everything else in this artists gallery is equally as amazing (
Suggested by Laynisample and Featured by
archanN)

No I don't mind at all. I'm still a student majoring in ecology and evolutionary biology. My favourite topics are social behaviors and their evolutionary base. I find it very fascinating. What about you? What are your favorite topics in biology?

Awesome! My interests are not too far from yours actually. I am absolutely fascinated by evolutionary biology and while psychology is generally a little too soft for my liking, I still find evolutionary psychology to be very interesting. I am also utterly transfixed by genetics and the biological/evolutionary aspects of transhumanism. Generally I am extremely interested in science but biology is my favorite and deeper still, evolution. <3

Alas, I am merely an enthusiast. I am a very enthusiastic enthusiast, but still just an enthusiast. I frequently listen to youtube lectures and documentaries, I read articles and (when I have the time) books. I've read a biography on Darwin, some Dawkins (he's kind of an ass sometimes but I like reading his work) some SJ Gould, and a little bit of this and that. I kept up on the Dover debacle and am sad to see we're still fighting to keep science in science classrooms.

Biology is my favorite but I also very much like technology. I'm familiar with Michio Kaku, L. Krauss, ND Tyson, Eugienie Scott, and of course, the old classics, Hawking, Feynman, and passingly, Einstein. <3 Science. If I had my way, I'd put SO much more money into science, technology, and education.

^__^ Danke. I appreciate that. I know some people don't like my pukey bright colors and that's fine but personally, I've long been in love with what could perhaps be described as an overuse of color. I can't stand how drab, dull, brown, and gray so much of the artworld is becoming, especially on TV and video games. I watch TV and game to ESCAPE the blandness of the realworld not see more of it. XD So maybe all this is really just a rebellion against the encroaching brown-and-grayitis I see all around me.

I like it more when there are nice colors in an artwork. It gives me the feeling to go to a beautitul fantasy world. That doesn't means this world would be so save without any danger but I fell like to go there. All those more grey-brown colored picture or as you said games as well, may be done awesome with realistic looks but they give me some depressing feeling. Even if they are done so great, I would never think about going to these world.

Oh and your artworks are looking that realistic with this colors - keep it up.

Bah. All ya need is one good friend and you're set. And as for crap? You'd be surprised how my art looked when I first started. XD I didn't fall out of my mother's vagina magically able to draw like this. I SUCKED for a very long time. We all gotta start somewhere.